Iskcon temple issue: CM orders RDC probe

Bhubaneswar: Taking note of the controversy over the proposed construction of a temple by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) at Puri, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday asked the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central Division, to conduct administrative probe into the matter and submit a report within two months.

It may be noted that the controversy started after senior BJP leader Bijay Mohaptra had told media persons that the ISKCON had already submitted a DPR to the State Government and the PKDA (Puri-Konark Development Authority) for setting up of a Jagannath Temple more than the height of Shrimandir.

Following this, the Puri district administration had also asked it to stop construction of their proposed Jagannath Temple at Sipasarubali in Puri.

Besides, State Housing and Urban Development minister Pushpendra Singhdeo had ordered a probe as to how the proposed temple’s building plan was approved in spite of a legal dispute over the ownership of the 30-acre land.

Rattled by the row, Puri collector Arvind Agrawal had issued a show cause notice to Iskcon asking them to submit a report on the issue and directed the organisation to stop construction activity on the site forthwith as per the directive of the State government.